Would you, could you, die for someone else?

Could you give up your life for someone?
Could you lay it all down and physically die for someone else?
What about your children? Could you offer them up as a sacrifice?

I know I couldn't.

One of my favorite Bible stories is the story of Abraham and Isaac. {Genesis 22} Abraham loved the Lord so much and His faith was unbelievably strong. {although this story was a test of just how strong his faith was and just how much he trusted in the Lord} He was obedient and disciplined and knew that if God asked, or rather told him to do something, anything, that He should follow. He knew that it would be the perfect will, the perfect plan, for his life.

Everytime I read this story, though, I often wonder what Abraham was thinking. The Bible leaves us guessing with this as it does not reveal Abrahams thoughts, just that he obeyed.  I like to take the people of the Bible and make them one of us, because they were one of us; not fictional in any way. I know if God came to me asking me to sacrifice my son, well, I would have to wonder, is He serious?

With wood and a knife and other materials needed for a sacrifice, Abraham walks with his son, Isaac, the son whom they prayed for and who was indeed a miracle {Genesis 21:1-2}, up the mountain to be sacrificed. Just the two of them. No lamb or cow or any other token of sacrficial worth. Mind you, Isaac had no idea what was going on. He was not aware of the fact that he was to be the sacrifice. Now...what do you think was going through his head? As they prepare the altar to lay the sacrifice upon, Isaac begins to question his father, saying,

“Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” {Genesis 22:7}

Oh boy. Could you imagine what was going on in Abrahams head now! But, the next verse, my favorite verse from this story, says this,

Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together. {Genesis 22:8}

And He does. Not only for Abraham and Isaac {Genesis 22:13}, but for all of us! He, too, was willing to give up the life of His one and only Son. A sacrifice for our sins. And He does it with love for us! He loves us that much! It is hard at times for me to truly grasp just how much God loves us. Enough to send His son into the world to later be crucified on the cross for my sins. And all He asks in return-for us to love Him back and surrender our life to His perfect will and plan! Hallelujah!

Easter is upon us and I want to make sure everyone knows the perfect will and plan of God sending His son for us. To truly realize the depth of unselfish love that is shown through this sacrifice.

He Died for Us to Give Us Life.

To Give Us Hope He Rose!

Will you surrender all, to Him?

 

Counting down my Gratefulness one Blessing at a time {#146-#149}:

146. The Lion

147. The Lamb

148. My Salvation

149. Listening to Emma recite scripture

and he looked at Jesus as He walked, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” ~ John 1:36